Transcript Highlights:

• Military and Veterans Affairs committees kind of changed.
• Chairman, Charlton McGinley, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Both of my parents were Vietnam veterans. My mother is no longer with us.
• But we also have a lot of friends and first cousins who are also veterans.
• I'm the Executive Director of Military Veterans Advocacy.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of brief background, veteran civil service preference scoring criteria status must be added to
• Senate Bill 5954 relates to veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.
• But the Veterans Legislative Coalition does support your bill. Thank you. That's nice. Thank you.
• I'm with the Legislative Veterans Coalition.
• We represent over two dozen veterans service organizations.

Bills: SB6256 , SB6275 , SB5868 , SB5954

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Veterans Affairs...
• Department of Veterans Affairs...
• Department of Veterans Affairs...
• </c> to do something to save our veterans. to do something to save our veterans.
• Twelve percent of Gulf War veterans, 15% of Vietnam veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we also need to ensure that our veterans we also need to ensure that our veterans receive<00:37:
• Our veterans have waited long enough to Our veterans have waited long enough to receive<01:22:53.679>
• </c> Veterans Home can finally move forward. Veterans Home can finally move forward.
• Miles, a proud veteran from Florida's Space Coast and our veteran of the month.
• Coast and our veteran of Florida Space Coast and our veteran of the<01:27:37.040><c> month.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been in your community for 20 years, helping veterans, dependents...
• She said the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce provides free navigation services connecting veterans
• House Bill 545 helps them meet veterans where they are.
• He said Title 67 was passed to help veterans so they could help veterans.
• to help veterans?”

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• For over 368,000 veterans, I want to say one word, and that is thank you.
• , but should the veteran pass away, it provides that same benefit for the spouses of those veterans.
• For a lot of people, they are 100% disabled veterans. It's all service related.
• This bill is so important to the veterans that we serve in the state of Missouri.
• So the last thing I want to leave with you is that when you see a veteran, when you see a Vietnam veteran

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 117-0 vote, and a long series of guest introductions, including 911 officials, school groups, students shadowing legislators, international visitors from Quebec, family members, and various community advocates. The chamber then moved into floor debate on several measures, beginning with House Joint Resolution 115, which would extend personal property tax and homestead tax exemptions to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and surviving spouses. Members from both parties praised the sponsor’s eight-year effort, emphasized the financial burden on disabled veterans living on fixed incomes, and noted the measure’s broad support; the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The House next took up House Bill 2151, a Fast Track workforce training program fix that raises household income eligibility thresholds from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers without increasing the program’s overall funding cap. Supporters said the change reflects inflation and will help more adults and families access training for career changes and upskilling. The chamber then approved House Substitute for House Bill 2576, a naming bill that included several commemorative designations. Members adopted amendments designating January as Blood Donor Awareness Month, June 28 as Elliott and Muriel Battle Day, and March 26 as PANS Awareness Day; a proposed Josephine Baker Day amendment was withdrawn after concerns it could complicate the broader bill. The bill also included other memorial and honorary designations, including a highway naming for a Vietnam veteran and recognition of a former Pagedale mayor. The House also approved an amendment designating April 22 as Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day, with supporters saying it would promote public safety and education as bear populations increase. Another amendment added infertility awareness language, with members describing the issue as a disease that affects families in silence. The chamber then approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3175, known as Mason’s Law, which creates a system to flag certain driver records for law enforcement when a person has a condition affecting communication; an amendment expanded the notice to include driver’s licenses. Members said the bill would help officers safely interact with people who may have difficulty communicating during traffic stops. Finally, the House took up House Bill 1736, which allows local governments to use certain park-related sales tax revenues for natural disaster mitigation, including stormwater management and the purchase of repetitive-loss properties. Supporters said it would help communities address flooding without turning parks into hard infrastructure sites. The chamber then began debate on House Bill 1887 and related AI and digital-image protection provisions, including measures aimed at preventing nonconsensual deepfakes, protecting minors, and giving victims civil remedies and takedown processes. Members from both parties supported the goal of curbing AI abuse, though some raised technical drafting questions and one member suggested the legislature may eventually need a broader AI task force or sunset review. No final vote on HB 1887 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to fight for our immigrant communities and veterans.
• for new VA hospitals and veteran cemeteries, and funding veteran disability programs, employment training
• HOSPITALS AND VETERAN CEMETERIES AND FUNDING VETERAN DISABILITY PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND HOUSING
• to veterans seriously.
• Yesterday was Veterans Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:43.920><c> service</c> their County Assessor veteran service their County Assessor veteran
• </c> recognition of the good that veteran recognition of the good that veteran service<00:04:17.120><
• programs, walk an anxious spouse of a veteran through the application to our state veterans homes, or
• programs, walk an anxious spouse of a veteran through the application to our state veterans homes, or
• programs, walk an anxious spouse of a veteran through the application to our state veterans homes, or

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:42.240><c> should</c> that believes that our veterans should that believes that our veterans
• . veterans that needs a wheelchair ramp. veterans that needs a wheelchair ramp.
• </c> program to assist our disabled veterans program to assist our disabled veterans with<00:10:06.160
• I just want to thank our veterans.
• . veteran. veteran.

Transcript Highlights:

• The veterans bonus legislation.
• What this veterans bonus does is give public service employees who are veterans $15 a month added to
• It simply changes the benefit that is paid to veterans once they retire.
• I think it's important to note that today's generation of veteran is not a one-and-done veteran.
• join fellow veterans here in support of the legislation heard before.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a range of retirement-related bills, with several witnesses and advocates focusing on pension equity, veteran benefits, and recognition for public safety workers. Representative Dennis Gallagher and Mass Retirees supported legislation to increase the long-standing veterans’ bonus from $15 to $50 per year of service, up to $1,000 annually, and described it as a modest, overdue adjustment with minimal fiscal impact. Mass Retirees also backed bills to raise the minimum survivor allowance for public retirees and to address inequities in Option B and Option C survivor benefits for retirees whose pensions were calculated under older mortality tables. The committee also heard a personal bill from Representative Jim Arceiro and Nathan McKinnon seeking creditable service for McKinnon’s years in the Nevada higher education system, which he said should count toward his Massachusetts retirement. Another individual bill was presented by Roberta Wollins, supported by Senator Keenan, to remedy what she described as misleading retirement advice from UMass Boston that affected her ability to buy back prior service and made her retirement planning inaccurate. Senator Keenan and others framed both cases as unique fairness issues rather than broad policy changes. A large panel from police, fire, corrections, EMS, and related organizations testified in favor of a COVID-19 retirement credit proposal and a study bill, arguing that essential workers who reported in person throughout the pandemic should receive recognition and a time-based retirement credit. Witnesses described exposure risks, illness, deaths, staffing strain, and long-term effects from COVID-19, and several committee members voiced support and appreciation for their service. The hearing concluded with no votes taken on the bills and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the state veteran homes. the state veteran homes.
• We provide cost to our veterans.
• I mean, that's 300 veterans.
• </c> safety of the veterans in our facility. safety of the veterans in our facility.
• <c> dependent</c><02:03:33.280><c> on</c> veterans home different dependent on veterans home different

Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, this bill is about protecting Idaho veterans.
• Senators, this bill is about protecting Idaho veterans.
• Veterans benefits can be complicated, and many veterans need help navigating the federal system.
• Veterans benefits can be complicated, and many veterans need help navigating the federal system.
• Veterans can still seek paid help if they want.

Transcript Highlights:

• My dad was a World War II veteran. My brother a Vietnam veteran.
• MY DAD WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN. MY BROTHER A VIETNAM VETERAN.
• I want to recognize veterans and their conference, Senator Ashby, our ranking member on Veterans and
• I want to recognize veterans and their conference, Senator Ashby, our ranking member on Veterans and
• I WANT TO RECOGNIZE VETERANS AND THEIR CONFERENCE, SENATOR ASHBY, OUR RANKER ON VETERANS AND MILITARY

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff. The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective. The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrick's Day to all, and welcome to our second committee for Veterans, Homeland Security and Military
• An act to amend the Veteran Service Law and the Public Health Law in relation to authorizing a veteran's
• is buried in a veteran cemetery.
• An act to amend the Labor Law and the Veterans Service Law in relation to requiring the Department of
• Labor to create and maintain a list of available careers and job listings in the state for veterans.

Committee: Senate Veterans, Homeland Security And Military Affairs

Summary: The Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs committee met on March 17 and considered six bills, all of which were advanced. S-109 would allow a veteran’s close friend or family member, if familiar with the veteran’s wishes, to request burial in a veterans cemetery. S-2071 would require the Department of Labor to maintain a list of careers and job listings for veterans. Both bills were moved without discussion and reported to the floor. The committee then approved several measures and referred them to Finance: S-2607, exempting certain veterans service organizations from sales taxes on beer, wine, and soda; S-4529, providing legal assistance for military families; S-4530A, exempting certain active duty military members based at Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth from Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge E-ZPass tolls if they live in a city of one million or more; and S-605, establishing a Hire a Vet Grant Program with a sunset provision. Members present voiced no opposition on the bills, and each was moved by committee members before being reported onward. The meeting ended with brief closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for folks, we're going to cover aging and then veterans.
• Just for folks, we're going to cover aging and then veterans.
• We'll move on to Veteran Services. Minority went to caucus.
• to contract those out for our veterans out in the public.
• in our budget so we can continue to do what we do and serve our veterans.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Denver is a veteran who served in the U.S.
• Denver is here for Veterans Visibility Day, and he's a 1977 graduate of St.
• We have a number of veterans from here around the state because today is Veterans Visibility Day, so
• The veterans who came from West Virginia... Everyday veterans, Mr.
• And so it's fantastic to see so many veterans here today.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill revises the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to ensure that veterans living
• So, in meeting with the FDVA and also the veterans...
• who do need them,” “Have services available for veterans who do need them.
• This bill was actually, I was requested to do this by a veteran at one of our breakfasts.
• Additionally, not every single year will every veteran need the same dental care?

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill revises the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to ensure that veterans living
• So in meeting with the FDVA and also the veterans...
• who do need them, Have services available for veterans who do need them.
• This bill was actually requested by a veteran at one of our breakfasts.
• We had a couple hundred veterans there, and their main concern was dental care.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Solutions</c> Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions Logan
• </c> the veteran population. the veteran population.
• </c> leading the way on advancing veteran leading the way on advancing veteran healthcare<01:03:38.000
• I am a combat Navy veteran and the co-founder of the Big Island Veterans Club at UH Hilo.
• </c><01:15:09.040><c> and</c> because real support for veterans and because real support for veterans

Bills: HB1626 , HB1643 , HB1668 , HB1550 , HB1974 , HB1858 , HB1871 , HB1966 , HB1972 , HB1973

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is... if a veteran could take an ATV and not think about taking their life, this is worth it.
• The veterans, obviously, it's not a large group of people that are in that group, so it's not going to
• The bill is supported by the Minnesota chapter of Disabled Veterans of America.
• You are, in fact, an Army veteran, correct? Who, uh, 19 Delta 11 Bravo? Perfect. Perfect. So, Mr.
• correct who uh 19 Delta 11 veteran correct who uh 19 Delta 11 Bravo<00:02:44.319><c> perfect</c><00: